Reviewed on XBOX Series X
First Impressions: Absolute Mayhem
The easiest way I can describe Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks is this:
Imagine if Twisted Metal and Rocket League somehow had a giant, loud, green-skinned baby raised entirely by Orks.
That’s Speed Freeks.
Within minutes, vehicles are exploding, rockets are flying, and somebody is screaming across the battlefield trying to deliver a bomb while half the lobby chases them down. It’s chaotic, ridiculous, and exactly the sort of energy a Warhammer 40K Ork game should have.
The Combat Is The Star Of The Show
This is where the game absolutely shines.
Every weapon feels chunky. Every explosion feels earned. Vehicles don’t simply explode, they launch across the map in spectacular fashion like they’ve been hit by a small nuclear device.
There’s a wonderful “dakka dakka” rhythm to combat. You’re constantly firing, dodging, boosting, and looking for opportunities to cause maximum destruction.
The vehicle handling strikes a nice balance too. Everything feels weighty without becoming sluggish. You can feel the difference between vehicles immediately, and that’s important in a game built around vehicular carnage.
A Fantastic Garage Of Death Machines
The vehicle roster is surprisingly varied.
I found myself constantly jumping between favourites depending on what mood I was in. The speedy Shokkjump Dragsta is fantastic for hit-and-run tactics, while the Rukkatrukk Squigbuggy brings explosive grenade-launching chaos to every encounter.
Then there’s the Boomdakka Snazzwagon, which quickly became my go to all-rounder.
If you prefer something tougher, the Grot Mega Tank can absorb punishment while dishing it back out in equal measure.
Not every vehicle feels perfectly balanced, but there’s enough variety here to keep matches interesting.
Kill Konvoy Is Absolutely Brilliant
Of the available modes, Kill Konvoy completely stole the show for me.
The objective revolves around hauling explosives toward the enemy Stompa while the opposing team desperately tries to stop you. It creates constant movement, endless firefights, and some genuinely hilarious moments.
I’ve had matches where I was seconds away from scoring before being launched halfway across the map by an incoming missile.
Good times.
The mode makes fantastic use of the maps and constantly pushes players into conflict.
The Ork Presentation Nails It
You can tell the developers understand Orks.
Everything is loud, messy, aggressive, and somehow still charming. The vehicle designs look fantastic, the environments are packed with character, and the overall presentation captures that uniquely Warhammer mix of violence and absurdity.
The newer maps, particularly Da Dust Up and Da Gorge, are standouts. They’re large enough to encourage speed while still offering plenty of cover and opportunities for ambushes.
Where It Starts To Run Out Of Fuel
The biggest issue with Speed Freeks isn’t what it has.
It’s what it doesn’t have.
After several hours, I kept finding myself wishing there was more. More modes. More objectives. More reasons to keep coming back.
The lack of a straightforward Team Deathmatch or Free-for-All mode feels particularly strange. Sometimes players just want to blow each other up without worrying about objectives.
And despite the name, the racing side of the game feels underdeveloped. There are flashes of racing mechanics here and there, but I kept waiting for a proper full-blown racing mode that never arrived.
A Single Player Campaign Would Be Incredible
This might be my biggest takeaway.
The core gameplay is so enjoyable that I couldn’t stop imagining how good a single-player campaign could be. Crazy Ork races across the wasteland. Boss battles against giant war machines. Story-driven missions packed with explosions.
The foundations are already here.
Right now, it feels like a game that’s missing a major pillar.
The Player Count Concern
One thing that does worry me is the player population.
I’ve seen plenty of discussion around the game’s relatively small player base, and that’s always concerning for a multiplayer-focused title. The gameplay deserves an audience, but long-term success will likely depend on continued support, fresh content, and additional modes.
Because the last thing I’d want is for a game this entertaining to quietly disappear.
Final Thoughts
Warhammer 40,000: Speed Freeks absolutely nails the most important part: it’s fun.
The combat is explosive, the vehicles feel fantastic, and the Ork aesthetic is spot on. Every match feels like complete controlled chaos.
But it also feels like the beginning of something rather than the finished article. More modes, more content, and stronger long-term support could elevate this into something truly special.
For now, it’s a highly enjoyable multiplayer brawler that left me wanting more.
And honestly, that’s both a compliment and a criticism.
7.5/10
